Although some will no doubt be enjoying the continued run of warm summery weather, many anglers are really looking forward to the first cool change to signify Autumn has truly arrived. There is certainly something about those first few cool offshore winds which herald the beginning of what is arguably the premier time of year from an angling perspective.

In the estuaries, the Hastings still remains quite dirty particularly towards the bottom of the tide. Hopefully this should begin to dissipate over the coming week. Irrespective of the colour, there are still some terrific fish about with bream a highlight from throughout the lower reaches. Good reports have come in from the break walls, Limeburners and Settlement Point, with mullet strips and mullet gut the stand out baits. Flathead numbers have also been consistent, with the flats around Pelican Island and all along the coal wall each fishing well on both whitebait and all sorts of lures. We have also had a couple of encouraging reports on the blackfish front over recent days, with the break walls giving up a few nice fish on both green weed flies and cabbage. Mulloway action however has been a little subdued in comparison to that seen during the recent flood, although it is worth noting the evening tides this weekend are excellent. On the crabbing front, muddies remain simply terrific.

Off the beaches, bream and whiting have been around in reasonable numbers with both North Beach and Lighthouse worth a look. Lighthouse has also held a few tailor with early mornings seeing the better results. Still a few school mulloway around and with good tides this weekend, hopefully the fish should cooperate. North beach and around Middle Rock have both given up fish to around a metre with worms the best bait for fish in this class.

Off the rocks, tailor remain consistent with some nice fish to over a kilo on most headlands. Best reports have come from south of Port where the water clarity has been a little better. The dawn session has been by far the best with both lures and pilchards enjoying equal success. Along with the tailor, a few nice bream have been on offer together with some solid blackfish. Look for the land based game action to pick back up should we get a few offshore winds to bring the blue water back in.

Offshore, results have been a little mixed courtesy of a patch of cool green water close in, and a strong current just a little wider. As such, the inshore pelagics have been largely absent, and will likely remain so until the warm blue water moves in once again. In the interim, reef fishing has been reasonable with some nice snapper just outside Barries Bay and close in off Lighthouse Beach, while the reefs in 40m off Plomer have held nice pearl perch despite the strong current.